Alberto Fujimori

PHOTO: AP

Alberto Fujimori was born July 28, 1938 in Lima to a family of Japanese immigrants.  In 1989, he founded a political party – Cambio 90.

He was elected President of Peru on July 28, 1990.  He announced his resignation on November 20, 2000, after fleeing to Japan following a series of corruption scandals. 

The charges against Fujimori are linked to the activities of the Colina Group, a paramilitary hit squad accused of killing 15 civilians in 1991 in Lima.  The group was also said to be responsible for the disappearance of 9 students and a professor, and is allegedly linked to the death of Mariela Lucy Bareto.  Fujimori is thought to be the brains behind the group’s activities.

Fujimori does still have supporters in Peru for suppressing the Shining Path insurgency and lowering inflation during his tenure.

Fujimori recently attempted a political comeback in Peru.  He was arrested at the request of the Peruvian government in Chile on November 7, 2005.  He was extradited to Peru in September of 2007 to face charges for misappropriation of funds and human rights violations, among others.  He is currently on trial.

For more information, please see:

BBC News – Profile:  Alberto Fujimori

Trial Watch – Alberto Fujimori

Impunity Watch - South America